Should You Study In Germany?

Study in Germany: What, Where, and How Original content kindly provided by DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst)Edited by Stephanie SmallPublished July 22, 2010

Lederhosen. Oktoberfest. Beer steins, barmaids, cuckoo clocks. And let’s not forget that perennially awkward topic of conversation: World War II.

deutsches Bier

The American imagination is rife with preconceived notions about the German culture. A Deutsch degree conjures up images of dour professors and weekends spent sucking on pacifiers at the Love Parade. Study there? Umm…nein, danke.

“Some clichés are true,” says Julia Flood, a Munich and Berlin native now residing in San Francisco. “For example, the old grumpy people who believe in authority and yell at you for jaywalking. But when I think of Germany I also think of green rolling hills and cute little towns with lots of flowers.” That charming, rambling countryside is home to castles and ruins from the Renaissance period onwards, as well as world-class wineries, dense forests, and the striking Alps. At the same time, the country is known for advanced infrastructure as well as theaters, opera houses, and museums galore. In truth, Germany is a top-notch cultural destination, and a center of European commerce and industry.

Janai Gilmore

Have I succeeded in opening your mind a bit? Let’s move on. We’re here to talk about education. With stellar faculty, facilities and research, Germany is an excellent choice for students in all fields. Janai Gilmore, an American who spent an undergraduate study abroad year in Germany, decided to return for her Master’s degree “for a number of reasons“, including her university’s “large reservoir of know-how” and “emphasis on the international exchange of expertise.” Also, with hundreds of English-language degree programs, you don’t necessarily need German language skills to study there. Besides, tuition fees at public universities are capped at 500 euros per semester - that’s about $635. “And people were outraged when the tuition was raised that high,” Flood says. If you know of anywhere in the 50 states that offers comparable high-quality education and affordability, I will immediately enroll and complete another three Master’s degrees.

We all know how daunting it is to begin the application process in your home country. Don’t let that deter you from exploring opportunities abroad! Read on for a simple guide to the German higher education system.

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